First Rifle/shotgun and Where to shoot?

S

spyder10

Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Messages
672
Well in a few months I will be getting some type of gun but it is driving me crazy to figure out what I should buy.
My choices for rifles are the following
-Cheap AR15 from Here
-Mosin Nagant From online surplus dealer
-Yugo SKS From the same
-Marlin 60 Used from a local gunshop (which I will most likely get no matter what since .22lr is so cheap)
-SU 16
-Hi Point 9mm carbine

Or get a Remington 870 shotgun used

Then the problem is where to shoot. There is a very close shotgun range but they only allow steel shot which will get expensive. There is a rifle range that is about 30 minutes away but it is members only. I have a friend who is/was a member there who I will talk to but if that falls through then there are no outdoor ranges which I will be able to shoot at. This only leave indoor ranges which do not allow lead ammunition, so there goes wolf ammo for the AR or bulk packs of .22lr for the Marlin. So what would you recommend? This is not only a what gun is best question, but also take into account where I could shoot.
Thanks for your help.
P.S. I am near Naperville IL and the members only range I am talking about is Aurora Sportsman Club so if you are a member and want to help out a future gun owner:D
 
Gun's are tools, that is until you start collecting them... What do you want to do with said gun? Just punch holes in paper? Get good enough at it to be competetive? Home/self defense? Look cool? Show off to your friends? Hunt? Those choices will answer most of your question for you. You've gone quite a way in your question, based on available shooting areas and ammo choices, plan your budget.

Your biggest problem is where you live, too many bleeding heart libs!

Personally, I'd go for the .22, cheapest ammo, quieter, shoot for hours with no recoil abuse, and it's more sheeple friendly. Important in IL!

J-
 
Punching holes in paper/breaking clays and maybe trying out a competition would be the major uses for the gun.

I really would like to start a collection and get all of these rifles but I just don't have the money for it right now. I am really leaning toward the AR15 since it is so easy to modify i.e. get a .22lr or 9mm upper, get new grip, stock, ect. Also I just love those black rifles:o

Edit: I will most likley get the .22lr because I've found it for about $60 used but are there lead-free bulk packs of .22lr? Most of the indoor ranges require lead-free ammo.
 
I'm in the same spot. I want either a bargain AR from the same place, a Ruger 10-22 or the 870.

Decisions, decisions.
 
Yeah I know what you mean. I have herd very good thing about those rifles and it makes me sad to think that they might be gone before I can decide.

I have been looking and if you want a cheap .22lr the Marlin m60 looks to be the better bet IMHO
 
I'd get an accurate .22 lr rifle to learn basic marksmanship. Then I'd pick up a Remington 870. If you need something quick for home defense, by pass the .22 for now and get the 870. Then buy the .22 lr rifle as soon as funds free up.

No matter what, practice and stay safe! :D
 
I'd say get the .22, or the 870. Can't go wrong with either. And with the 870 you have a home defense gun.
 
a minor off-topic bit: why would some ranges only allow steel shot? Isn't lead far less likely to ricochet and cause unwanted damage?
 
I would highly recommend that you get a Remington 870 Police or Wingmaster for your first gun.

Several reasons; 1. A shotgun is the most effective home defence and general close quarters offensive weapon. 2. You can also shoot slugs out of it, extending your range to about 300 feet. 3. You can hunt deer with it, with the proper slugs. 4. You can hunt bird with it. 5. You can pick up a new hobby and shoot trap with it.


That will cover your basic hunting and defence needs, after that it's all about your lifestyle.
 
Bookworm said:
a minor off-topic bit: why would some ranges only allow steel shot? Isn't lead far less likely to ricochet and cause unwanted damage?
Click to expand...


Health issues. People that spend massive amounts of time at gun ranges have elevated lead in their blood. It's a way to try to curb that for enthusiasts.
 
Ammo prices have gone through the roof. Corrosive 5.45x39 is still cheap, 7.62x39 is more than it used to be but cheaper than most, 223. ranges from $ 200ish/1000 for cheap russian stuff up to $ 400+ for brass cased american ammo

If you just "want a gun" and never had one get a .22lr

If you want a gun and are serious about self defense get a quality AR15, mount a light on it and take a carbine class.

If you just want an inexpensive gun that you are going to shoot a couple times a year for shits and giggles, know in your heart you won't get any firearms training but want something for self defense "just in case" get a pump action shotgun.

Course there's nothing wrong with an SKS, Mosin Nagant or the butt ugly little Hi Point 9mm carbines. I've never fired the kel tec, the one I saw at the Shot Show was preproduction but it has some pretty flimsy looking parts on it.
 
Go to your local brick and mortar gun shop and discuss your wants and needs with them. They have the knowledge to guide you in the right direction. They might also be able to help with getting you into a local club.
 
Shooting accuracy requires good technique. A 22 is the right firearm to learn proper technique and discipline.
 
Bookworm said:
a minor off-topic bit: why would some ranges only allow steel shot? Isn't lead far less likely to ricochet and cause unwanted damage?
Click to expand...

Also, decades of lead shot/bullets at an outdoor shooting range will result it it becoming a toxic hazard site. That and the little birdies might eat some and get sick!:rolleyes:

J-
 
I like the idea of getting the 870 but how much will steel target birdshot cost me? That is all the local trap range allows and I've have tried looking online but coming from the rifle/pistol world I don't know what to look for.

Also is there any steel (lead free) .22lr ammo out there?
 
First, double check what you have been told about what kind of ammo can be shot at the range.

Most indoor ranges don't allow lead ammo, but do allow jacketed. And almost all allow .22 ammo.

Do what you can to join the outdoor range, that will be your best bet.

My suggestion is that you purchase some form of .22, because it sounds to me like you are on a limited budget.

Centerfire ammo prices are having an impact on people who have quite a bit of money to spend, so a .22 would be just right for your budget.

Andy
 
HomeBru said:
Also, decades of lead shot/bullets at an outdoor shooting range will result it it becoming a toxic hazard site. That and the little birdies might eat some and get sick!:rolleyes:

J-
Click to expand...

There is also more potential for civil liabiltiy. A community group sued a local gun club numerous times. First was for noise, which was dismissed because of a state law that protects grandfathered firing ranges from noise complaints. Then they were sued in federal court for lead disposal- for negative enviromental impact. While that case too was dismissed (the judge decided that firing lead bullets into the berm was not what the law meant by disposal), they had to collect a lot of money to get to that end. I believe they still are being sued, but the situation is a lot better now.

I recommend buying an AR (preferably with a fixed A2 stock if you can handle the length) and a .22LR conversion kit. That will give you a lot of versatility and an inherently accurate platform. You will be able to shoot 15 .22 LR rounds for the cost of 1 .223 or 5.56mm round. I love shooting my AR conversion kit. You will also end up with a quality platform, with plenty of parts floating around for eternity.
 
Get a .22lr, they're fun and you'll always have a use for it. An added bonus is that you can shoot .22s anywhere. Check out the CZ-452 line, there should be a model that appeals to you. Here's mine, a Trainer model.

my452traineruo0.jpg


my452trainerbolttriggeryg7.jpg


my452trainertangentsighig7.jpg


my452trainerfrontsightdp0.jpg
 
For the price of those used ARs, you could have a brand new Remington 870 AND a new Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 60.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top